Absolute Escapes Traveller Reviews

Walked the entire JMW 15 September thru 27 September, 2016. We extended the trip by splitting the Balloch to Strathblane section into two segments, overnighting in Killearn. Even so, those first 3 days were strenuous enough with the hills and valleys. Entire Way was well marked and we only got off track a couple of times, due to our own inattention. We had wonderful weather with no rain on any of the days of hiking. Regardless, the ground was still quite wet in many sections and our hiking poles proved to essential for footing and avoidance of potential trip-ending slips. We spent an extra free day in Falkirk, which we highly recommend. The Kelpies alone were worth the extra day. And Steve Higson, the luggage handler and Kelpie/Helix tour guide, gave an enthusiastic informative tour and is a boundless source of information regarding the entire JMW. We also spent an extra free day in Edinburgh, at the castle and at Rosslyn Chapel. Our accommodations along the Way were all excellent and well located. The highlight regarding meals came at the end at The Rocks in Dunbar. It was the best meal of the whole trip. Second best was at The Kilted Lobster in Edinburgh. Third best was a big surprise: The Dragon Way, a Chinese restaurant in Port Seton. It is not listed in the recommendations in the trip guide, but it deserves to be prominently mentioned. Overall a great trip and introduction to Scotland. By the end we even began to understand the language, a little.

Absolute Escapes scheduled all our hotel and B&B stays, all en suite and extremely pleasing. Most were right on the JMW, a couple (Balloch and Killearn) about a mile or so off, and one (Grangemouth) far enough off that Absolute gave us taxi fare sufficient for 4 of us to travel between Falkirk and Grangemouth 4 times. Very generous. All pretrip questions were answered in their information packets. Those that weren't were promptly handled by email communication. The luggage service provided by Steve Higson thru Absolute Escapes was exceptional and very accommodating. A top line tour made possible by a top line tour operator and staff.

Beautiful 6 night trek on the Rob Roy Way

Trip was very well organized. We had a wonderful time and would use Absolute Escapes again and would gladly recommend them to friends and family.

The West Highland Walking Holiday organized by Absolute Escapes exceeded our highest hopes. Each day was like a new adventure as the terrain and scenery changed. On our 9 days, we donned our rain equipment just once for a couple of hours. The accommodations Absolute Escapes arranged were first class. Where there was a choice, they chose well. Our favorites was the B&B in Dryman (wonderful hosts), closely followed by Tyndrum. AMS (luggage transporters) was 100% on their game, with our bags arriving ahead of us on most of the walks. This vacation is certainly on our top 10 list, and we praise Absolute Escapes' professional services when we talk about it. I think there is a fair chance we will return next year for an English walk. A couple of years ago we did part of the Cotswold trail carry backpacks and making our own arrangements. If we do come back next year, we will certainly be employing Absolute Escapes again.

Extremely professional. They tailored our walking holiday to match our physical capabilities making each day something to look forward to. They responded quickly to all of our inquiries, and were dead-on with suggestions for equipment, restaurants, and travel arrangements. It is rare on a holiday like this to not encounter some problems, but with Absolute Escapes' experience it was a stress free vacation.

My husband and I have hiked many miles in the US, but never inn-to-inn. I'm afraid that we are spoiled and will never carry a tent again! The weather was not as good as we would have wished and the Cumbria way could use a few more signs, but the scenery was beautiful and the people were wonderful.

Although some of our days were wet and soggy, we knew that we would have a wonderful place to stay at the end and that our luggage would be waiting for us. We also had the benefit of suggestions for places to eat and things to do in the villages we visited. We could never have made such good arrangements as those made by Absolute Escapes.

Everything about our visit was exceptional and memorable, and thanks to Absolute Escapes, completely stress-free. We thoroughly enjoyed all of the accommodations and found the proprietors friendly, helpful, and willing to share their knowledge of their region and Scotland in general. The maps and driving guidance in our Absolute Escape package, when combined with the NavSat in our hire car, helped us move from place to place without confusion; and the dining recommendations were spot on with our experience of those establishments. We recommended your services to several travelers we met along the way, who indicated they'll be making repeat journeys to Scotland; and many of our friends here in the US who have seen our photos are intrigued and I'll be providing your website information to them. We do travel often, and generally after a week long holiday, I'm perfectly content to return home. Not so with our two week visit to Scotland - I could have easily spent at least another week! I'm sure that's thanks to Absolute Escape's efforts.

Our holiday was a self guided driving tour. All of the arrangements, from the hire car, to the accommodations, to the necessary ferry tickets, were pre-arranged by Absolute Escapes. This took all of the stress of planning and securing reservations away from me and left me free to fully enjoy a delightful holiday!

I really enjoyed my week on the Norfolk Coastal Path. It certainly is a lovely part of the world and the weather for the week was great. I was very happy with all of the accommodation, everyone was very welcoming and the breakfasts great, perfect for setting you up for the day ahead.

The information pack provided prior to the trip was very comprehensive and useful. I used a number of the recommendations for either lunch and dinner. I may not have 'doubled back' on myself to visit Titchwell Nature Reserve had the RSPB flyer not been included in the pack. There was a very minor issue at one of the hotels (which turned out to be the hotels error). This was dealt with promptly by Absolute Escapes (out of hours) with a positive outcome and in no way detracted from the enjoyment of the week. I will be looking to Absolute Escapes for any similar trips in the future.

We had a wonderful vacation in Yorkshire as we walked the Herriot Way. Everything that was promised by Absolute Escapes turned out to be true. Our accommodations were excellent, our bags were properly delivered each day and our walking experiences were sublime. We feel as though our money was very well spent. Thanks for helping us turn a life-long dream into a splendid reality.  

We had a wonderful vacation in Yorkshire as we walked the Herriot Way. Everything that was promised by Absolute Escapes turned out to be true. Our accommodations were excellent, our bags were properly delivered each day and our walking experiences were sublime. We feel as though our money was very well spent. Thanks for helping us turn a life-long dream into a splendid reality.  

West Highland Way September Me and my sister had a really great time while walking the whw:) Mostly there was sunny weather with only a few clouds! But there was also some mist covered mountains, what I appreciate!

The bookings made for us where all quiet perfect, so that it would be possible, that if I do a second walk, I'll be booking with you again!

First of all, it was a perfect walking on The Great Glen way. Almost everything vent as planned. The Scots are some amazing people. A very big thanks for the driver we had from and to Edinburgh, he was the best! We were all surprised about the B & B standards, they were very high. Some of the accommodations were a little small for two people, but ok. My own last accommodation in Drumnadrochit (Aslaigh) were very small and with bathroom across the hall, that was not so nice, but we managed. And the food - Fantastic! I will say, that the walk from the locks in Laggan to the accommodation Forest Lodge were a little unclear and it is not recommendable to walk with 10 people along the A82. Please do not ask anyone to do that.I was terrified! The only problemwith accommodation was in Inverness at the Premier Inn hotel. Not all the members of the group were registered, so it was quite difficult to check in. I had the impression, that they did not have any clue of who were staying in their hotel.

Always very quick to answer any questions. Always positive and with a sense of humor. Good advises, and good expanations

I organised my walk of The Great Glen Way to raise money for SHELTER. I invited my friend to come along too and I set to planning with Absolute Escapes. That bit was a breeze! I just gave them the dates, the type of accommodation I'd like to book (I opted for the mid price range B&B's) and paid my money. A few weeks before I was due to set off a package arrived jam packed with lots of info, the itinerary, maps, information about each place we'd be staying and recommendations of where to eat supper each evening. There was also useful telephone numbers in case of an emergency or change of plan en route with the baggage transfer company. I'd booked to do the walk over 7 days, but instead had a long last day (19miles) so I didn't need my bags moved as we stayed 2 nights in the last B&B. The adventure of walking 13 miles most days was great! Neither my friend or I had "trained" we just love Scotland and the scenery and hoped that would help spur us on ... and it did! Each place we stayed en route was truly perfect. Friendly hosts and hostesses, clean, comfortable rooms and a hearty breakfast each morning to set us up for the day. In 2 of the B&B's we had packed lunches made up for us as there were no shops nearby to buy lunch - and at just £6 each it was perfect to know we wouldn't get hungry before we reached our next stop. I would walk The Great Glen Way again in a heartbeat, I loved every step. It was varied terrain, pretty steep climbs in places, but all manageable at a steady pace. I'd recommend walking with poles as the angle of some of the slopes could be tricky without them. It was a great adventure, and I felt very secure and safe in the knowledge that everything had been organised by Absolute Escapes. It was clear from my first contact with them that I'd have nothing to fear about this trip other than wondering if I'd be able to do it without blisters hindering my journey!

From my first phone call I found Absolute Escapes to be friendly, professional, knowledgeable and extremely helpful in making the booking and planning effortless. I phoned again just before I left to check whether or not I'd told them I was coeliac (gluten-intolerant). They were quickly able to reassure me that I had told them that when I booked, and that all the B&B's were aware of this and would be able to cater for my special requirements. The info package they provided was incredible - right down to a list of things they'd recommend to pack, tags for the baggage transfer, and tips on good places to eat - they really did cover everything! I'd highly recommend Absolute Escapes to anyone interested in walking holidays without the hassle of having to book and plan - leave it to folk who know what they're doing inside out!